Willowbank Holiday Park

The Sefton Circular: This 24-mile route is a great way to explore the Sefton coast, taking in pine woods, Antony Gormley's statues, Rimrose Valley, the Leeds Liverpool Canal, and the former Cheshire Lines railway. The Marram: This shorter route takes in seaside views of the Southport coast, passing the Queens Jubilee Nature Reserve and Ainsdale and Birkdale Local Nature Reserve. The Shrimp: This circular route takes in many of the main landmarks of Southport, including the home of the Southport Shrimpers, the second largest pier in Britain, and the resort's Marine Lake. The Natterjack: This route begins on the old Cheshire Lines Railway and then follows a circular route through Ainsdale, Birkdale and Southport Town centre. It also passes the Birkdale Nature Reserve, where you can find the rare Natterjack Toad and Sand Lizard. The Kestrel: This route allows you to enjoy the varied urban landscapes and the newly developed community woodland where hunting kestrels can often be seen. The route also takes you near the RSPB bird reserve at Marshside. The Mallard: This route takes you past the RSPB bird reserve at Marshside before leading you through Churchtown, a pretty village north of Southport. Options immediately around the site include a well-equipped playground in Freckleton Memorial Park and football pitches at Bush Lane playing fields, both within half a mile, and access to the Lancashire Coastal Walk within the same distance. If you're not up for hiking the full 137 miles of the route, the local section from Freckleton to Silverdale passes Lytham, the Ribble estuary, Morecambe and the RSPB reserve of Hest Bank. Have at least a few days in Lytham whatever your holiday tastes: the Park View 4U Playing Fields four miles from the park are an excellent family option with toddler play area, teen zone, BMX track, skate park and trim trail, and the famed championship golf courses at Lytham St Annes are a top pick for teeing off. The Lytham St Annes beaches have donkey rides, crazy golf and other seaside shenanigans alongside their swathes of sand. Hikes, hacks and mountain bikes are all available around the lush Forest of Bowland, 25 minutes' drive away. ------ ------ To Blackpool! The Pleasure Beach theme park, autumn illuminations and Blackpool Tower don't need much of an intro: if you haven't been before, go and plunge in. The Pleasure Beach theme park has been going strong since 1896 and is the most visited attraction in all the land, with the biggest number of rollercoasters of any theme park in Britain. The Big One, the tallest rollercoaster in the UK (once the world) will give anyone a big drop in their tum on its very big drops: very highly recommended. A climb up Blackpool Tower and a delve into Blackpool Tower Dungeon should be next, before trips to Blackpool's three other main attractions: Blackpool Zoo, set in 32 acres and with over 1,500 animals; Blackpool Sea Life Centre, where over 2,000 inhabitants live in 50+ displays, and the city's Sandcastle Waterpark, the biggest indoor waterpark in the UK. --------- --------- Ticking Blackpool Tower off your bucket list is one thing, but if you’re also an outdoorsy type, hiking over gritstone fells or valleys in the Forest of Bowland (from 25 minutes’ drive) will be just as much of an achievement. The Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty has riverside walks, dark skies, waterfalls and cycling paths. If you’re alright with a long-ish drive, the Lake District (from 45 minutes) is also accessible up the M6. Lake Windermere (an hour) is one of the most popular spots closest to the site. Closer to base, however, is Preston (20 minutes). The Lancashire city has a gorgeous cycling path tracing the River Ribble – and for those who want to explore more ground, the Ribble Steam Railway makes a three-mile round trip on a heritage locomotive. Lytham St Annes (20 minutes), back towards the coast, is just splendid too. Two miles south of Blackpool, the two seaside towns have a boating lake, Victorian pier and heaps of independent shops. And if your little people were round-eyed at Blackpool Zoo, they should also like the award-winning Farmer Parr's Animal World in nearby Fleetwood, to see farm animals, rare breeds and some more exotic, non-native species. ------------- ------------- Legs a little worn out from walking/biking/riding? Take a scenic trip on the Ravenglass & Eskdale steam railway – there’s a station half a mile from Parkgate Farm, or you can board at Ravenglass, 10 minutes' drive away to ride the whole route. While you’re in Ravenglass, take a mooch round Muncaster Castle, a privately owned fort overlooking the River Esk. As well as tours round the castle there are also heaps of things for kids here, including an enchanted fairy trail, a maze and hawk displays. Golfing types can swing their clubs on the courses in Eskdale or Seascale (be prepared for potentially distracting sea views at the latter). There’s a sandy beach in Seascale too; if the water’s too chilly for swims, head north to Whitehaven (half an hour away) to the public swimming pool. The Rum Story, an exhibition in an original 1785 shop, is worth a visit up here too (and yes, you can buy bottles of the good stuff).